Bermuda Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Client Funds

A High Court judge has sentenced 37-year-old lawyer Tyrone Quinn to 15 years in jail after he was found guilty of stealing almost half a million US dollars from his clients. Justice Juan Wolffe said Quinn exploited the good nature and close relationship he had with one victim and took advantage of a senior. The judge stated that Quinn committed these crimes while his victims were experiencing excruciating physical pain and mental anguish. In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered a confiscation inquiry under the Proceeds of Crime Act to determine what assets could be seized to offer compensation to the victims.

Quinn was convicted on three counts of theft totalling US$483,000 from compensation payments to three of his clients following a unanimous verdict from a jury in November last year. Despite Quinn’s claims that he fully intended to repay his victim, the High Court was told that this never materialized. During the trial, it was revealed that between May 2020 and February 2021, Quinn received awards on behalf of three clients in separate legal matters. However, two of the clients received only a small portion of their award while the third client received nothing. Quinn admitted to receiving the funds for the clients but claimed he had no intention of permanently depriving them of the money.

The High Court heard Quinn’s explanation that he had been approached by two men in 2019 who demanded compensation for a problem related to an illegal business transaction. Quinn stated that he complied with their demands after they threatened him and his family, paying them thousands of dollars and making various payments on their behalf. Despite using the funds for unrelated payments, Quinn maintained that he always intended to give his clients what they were owed. However, prosecutor Alan Richards argued that Quinn had “robbed Peter to pay Paul,” indicating that he used some of the complainants’ awards to pay other clients.

Justice Wolffe described the case as sad and unconscionable, emphasizing that the victims are still experiencing pain and requiring the money rightfully owed to them for necessary surgeries. The judge expressed his sympathy for the victims who had endured physical pain and mental anguish as a result of accidents and were further subjected to suffering through Quinn’s actions. Written reasons for the sentence would be provided at a later date. In addition to the 15-year prison term, the judge initiated a confiscation inquiry to determine seized assets for compensation.

The sentencing of Tyrone Quinn marked the end of a legal battle that revealed his theft of almost half a million US dollars from his clients. Quinn’s actions were deemed exploitative, taking advantage of vulnerable individuals during their time of need. The judge’s decision to sentence him to 15 years in prison reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact they had on his victims. The confiscation inquiry under the Proceeds of Crime Act aims to provide some form of compensation to the victims who have suffered as a result of Quinn’s actions.